Eric Clapton To Retire From Touring

Eric Clapton has told Rolling Stone that he plans to quit touring when he hits 70. The guitarist, who is currently 68, has stated that he will only be playing one-offs after 2015:

“The bit onstage, that’s easy. If I could do that around my neighbourhood that would be great. You have guys in Texas that play their circuit and it keeps them alive.

“But for me, the struggle is the travel. The only way you can beat that is by throwing so much money at it that you make a loss.

“So the idea is, I’m taking a leaf out of JJ Cale’s book – when I’m 70 I’ll stop. I won’t stop playing or doing one-offs, but I’ll stop touring, I think.”

The guitarist also noted that he hates dealing with airport security: “I never get it right,” he says.

“I forget to take off my belt or I have change in my pocket. Next thing I know, ‘Can you come over here please?’ I just don’t want to do that any more.”